Cornwall's South West Coast Path

Make your own way to Padstow. The town is named after St. Petroc who came here circa A.D 500. The church of St Petroc is one of a group of three said to have been founded by the Saint. It is quite large and mostly of 13th and 14th century date. The old harbour usually has a nice ensemble of boats including the old pilot vessels. Nice pub fayre and a Rick Stein restaurant.

Leaving Padstow’s busy little tourist harbour, follow the shores of the picturesque Camel Estuary to Stepper Point. You'll likely have views to Bodmin Moor inland and to the ‘Doom Bar’: an offshore sand bar. 

More coves pass by until you see the limestone and slate Porthmissen Bridge natural arch. From here continue on to Trevone Bay, a beautiful sandy beach, popular with surfers and onwards to Harlyn, another surfer’s paradise, once famed for fishing pilchards. The path reaches Trevose Head where on clear days you can see both St.Ives and Newquay. You'll then turn south and cross more sandy beaches around Constantine, passing Trethias Island nature reserve, and threading your way through coves to descend to Porthcothan Bay.

From the bay the path climbs up to Park Head. From here you'll have wonderful views of Bedruthan Steps, a set of rock stacks that have been a popular tourist feature since the railway reached Newquay in 1875. Approach Newquay and the path arrives at Trevelgue Head and the largest Iron Age fort remains in the county. Continue over Barrowfields, with its three Bronze Age barrows, then descend to Newquay. This is quite a shock after the day’s peaceful walk. Nevertheless, the town overlooks fine golden sands, which cushion the Atlantic rollers and make this Britain’s surfing capital. 

Leaving the harbour, the path climbs up Towan Head past the whitewashed Huer’s Hut, where lookouts would shout the arrival of the pilchard shoals to waiting fishermen. You'll then follow the cliffs around Pentire Point to take the ferry across the Gannel River. The path winds around headlands and coves to Kelsey Head, and then descends to the village of Holywell. Following golden sands along Perran Beach and, depending upon tide levels, you reach the village of Perranporth either by the beach or the cliff.

A fairly easy stretch of walking today on well used paths occasionally dipping into valleys. The South West Coast Path follows the cliffs around Cligga Head, past mineshafts, now home to horseshoe bats, and the remains of tin mines. Enroute you drop into Trevellas Porth and then Trevaunance Cove, which has a waterside pub. It is then pleasant ascending to St Agnes Head past bird nesting cliffs, then  the path goes past the Wheal Charlotte Mine, drops down to the beach at Porthtowan and then follows the cliff top path to the harbour at Portreath.

Leaving Portreath, there is a strenuous climb up Tregea Hill and 10 km of National Trust land. Continue high above the sea and reach a rather sensational breach in the cliffs called Hell’s Mouth. At Navax Point, you might be lucky enough to see grey seals. Further on, you will see the lighthouse perched on Godrevy Island, probably the inspiration for Virginia Wolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse’. The path then meanders through the Towans sand dunes to the busy port of Hayle.

A short day which should give you enough time to discover beautiful St Ives, with its museums and galleries. Skirting the Hayle Estuary, which is noted for its seabirds and waders, the path passes along the dunes above Porth Kidney and then passes beautiful Carbis Bay to reach the town.

Like elsewhere on the surrounding coast, by the beginning of the 20th century, the fish stocks became depleted and the fishing fleet largely disappeared from St Ives. However, as early as 1811 Turner visited to paint the seascapes and by the late 1880s there were several artists installed and the town became famous for its vibrant artists’ colony. Today their work can be seen in the St Ives Tate Gallery, the Barbara Hepworth Museum, and the Bernard Leach Gallery. A great place for fish 'n chips.

Arrangements end after breakfast.